Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 34: Chapter 34 Xiao Xiao’s Life Hangs by a Thread

HISS!

Before the Great Elder’s worried gaze, Xiao Xiao’s delicate brows suddenly furrowed.

In an instant, an unbearable heat surged through her body, a scorching fire emerging from the very depths of her soul. It felt as though she were being devoured by flames. First, her skin became unbearably hot, as if being incinerated. Then, the fire grew wilder, more searing. The next moment, the heat penetrated deep into her internal organs, which all began to burn intensely. The sensation was as if someone had deliberately torn out every organ and was roasting them over a fire. This feeling persisted for a moment before the scorching grew even stronger, consuming even the marrow in her bones. Endless agony radiated from every part of her body.

”AH!”

Xiao Xiao could finally endure no longer. With a soft cry, a torrent of visible flames erupted from her body.

”Little girl, is the searing of the Holy Soul flaring up again? You must hold on! That boy, Ye Qingchen, will be back soon!” The Great Elder hurriedly rushed to Xiao Xiao’s side, taking out a bottle of elixir and frantically pouring the pills into her mouth. The medicine took effect, spreading in streams of cool essence that slightly eased her discomfort.

Over the past month, the flare-ups of her Holy Soul’s fire had become increasingly frequent, and each was far more severe than the last. If he had not constantly encouraged her to hold on for Ye Qingchen’s return, she likely would have given up long ago.

”G-Great Elder, will... will the Young Master really come back...?” Xiao Xiao’s skin was a fiery red as she looked at the Great Elder with hopeful eyes.

If she could see Ye Qingchen just one more time before she died, she would have no regrets.

”He will! Definitely! Ye Qingchen will return safely! And he’ll succeed in finding the Ironwood Soul Flower to help you perfect your Vermilion Bird Holy Soul!” the Great Elder said, trying to comfort her.

However, even he did not believe his own words. If Ye Qingchen could have found the Ironwood Soul Flower, he would have surely returned by now. His continued absence can only mean one of two things: either he failed to find it, or he has already perished in the Qingyun Mountain Range. After all, even the formidable Ye Changqing died there. With Ye Qingchen’s meager Martial Apprentice cultivation, his chances were virtually none... certain death.

The Great Elder’s heart was filled with bitter regret. How could I have agreed to let him venture into the Qingyun Mountain Range alone? Xiao Xiao’s incomplete Holy Soul is a near-certain death sentence, and now I’ve dragged Ye Qingchen into it as well! He was the most promising talent the Ye Family has seen in years!

”AH!”

As the Great Elder was lost in thought, Xiao Xiao let out another heart-wrenching scream. The calm that had briefly settled on her face was replaced by a mask of agony. Her slender neck was bright red, and it looked as though flames were about to burst from her once-lively eyes.

”Not good! It’s the Holy Soul Devouring the Heart! The girl is losing control!” Horror filled the Great Elder’s aging eyes, his face twitching violently.

If her Vermilion Bird Holy Soul were to lose control completely, not only would Xiao Xiao be engulfed and die, but the entire Ye Family would suffer the consequences, likely consumed by the rampant flames. The whole clan would face annihilation!

”G-Great Elder... I know my own body best. I... I’m afraid I can’t wait for the Young Master to return. Thank you for your care these past few days. This feeling... it’s too unbearable. Please, help me... give me a quick end, will you?” Xiao Xiao pleaded, her eyes begging the Great Elder.

She knew that this time, she probably would not make it through. Her only regret was not being able to see Ye Qingchen one last time.

The Great Elder heaved a long sigh, shaking his head helplessly. He had given his all this past month trying to save Xiao Xiao, only for it to end like this. Such a total failure. What’s worse is that for the safety of the entire Ye Family, I have no choice but to act. I have to kill her before her Vermilion Bird Holy Soul loses control completely. To personally kill the very person I’ve tried so hard to save... How cruel is that? This final decision... it’s too difficult to make.

”AH!”

Xiao Xiao screamed again, her voice even more wretched than before. Her face turned a deep red, her eyes completely swallowed by unbearable heat.

”Great Elder, quickly! Do it now, kill me! I can’t control myself anymore!” Clinging to her last shred of sanity, Xiao Xiao shrieked at him.

I can’t be the cause of the Ye Family’s destruction! If that happens, even in death, how could I ever face Ye Qingchen?

With a deep and sorrowful sigh, the Great Elder finally made up his mind.

”Little girl, close your eyes,” he said, his face heavy with reluctance. ”I’ll make it quick. You won’t have to endure this inhuman torment any longer. You’ll finally be free.”

”Th-thank you...” Xiao Xiao mustered all her strength to close her eyes. Her body was burning red, but a look of relieved acceptance appeared on her face as a faint smile touched her exquisite features.

The Great Elder raised his hand, and a blade shimmering with a cold, icy light materialized within it. The ice blade would fall. One thrust through the heart, and it would all be over. Shaking his head, the Great Elder gripped the ice blade tightly, pouring his powerful Spiritual Power into it before violently thrusting downward.

WHOOSH!

The ice blade cast a chilling glint as it plunged straight for Xiao Xiao’s heart.

But just then—

SWOOSH!

A longsword shot out from the secret chamber, striking the blade.

CLANG!

The ice blade, knocked from its path, was sent flying, clattering to the ground along with the longsword.

”Old Master Ye, don’t give up! We found the Ironwood Soul Flower!” While the Great Elder was still reeling in shock, a graceful figure—Qin Yue—rushed into the secret chamber. Following right behind her was a shirtless, gasping Ye Qingchen. He quickly unslung a wooden box from his back and threw it open.

Instantly, a fiery-red celestial treasure bursting with Soul Power appeared before the Great Elder’s eyes.

It was indeed the Ironwood Soul Flower.

”The Ironwood Soul Flower!” the Great Elder exclaimed, his face instantly lighting up with immense joy and surprise. ”You’re still alive, boy! And you actually managed to find it!”

He had never expected that Ye Qingchen would actually succeed.

”Great Elder, quickly, save Xiao Xiao!” Ye Qingchen urged, his expression pained as he looked at Xiao Xiao, who was now unconscious and wreathed in flames.

”Don’t worry! With the Ironwood Soul Flower, I guarantee I’ll have her back on her feet and full of life!” Without another word, the Great Elder snatched the Ironwood Soul Flower and rushed toward Xiao Xiao.

He had to race against time, to snatch Xiao Xiao’s life from the clutches of death itself.

Watching the busy Great Elder and the unconscious Xiao Xiao, Ye Qingchen clenched his fists, muttering under his breath. Xiao Xiao, the Young Master is back. You’re going to be alright.